Jan 20, 2016, 10:53 pm
Last edit by: jtet
A number of threads have been started with members asking for guidance on which mileage programme they should join. In order to help users I have started this thread to allow people to post their requests for information here and to allow people to offer assistance.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
For members asking for information please help people to assist you, can you provide:
(1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? (C, F, Y, etc.)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? (<25K, 25k-50k, >50k)
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
(7) Preferred Airlines
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? (Can you chooose your airlines, class of service?)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
If you fly less than 50k miles per year: it is almost guaranteed that your choice will be between Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Asiana Airlines. Please look up these airlines' frequent flier programs, and make a decision as to which best suits your needs.
Some considerations to take into account:
Airlines tend to treat members of their own frequent flier program better than members of other frequent flier programs. If you fly one of these airlines, it is recommended that you choose that airline.
Some airlines have better earning/redemption charts for your pattern. For example, if you fly on cheap fares on a certain airline often, Turkish might give you miles for it, while Aegean might not. However, Turkish Airlines might charge much more for the redemption that you want to make than Aegean.
Asiana Airlines offers lifetime Star Alliance Gold for 500k miles over life. The other 2 airlines do not offer this benefit.
Asiana Airlines has a credit card in the USA and some other countries. If you are interested in credit cards, check to make sure that the program that you join has a credit card in your country.
If you still aren't sure which frequent flyer program is for you after looking these up, feel free to ask on this thread.
Need advice on which *A FF scheme to join? - please post here
Jan 31, 2023 | 7:22 am
#2431
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: ARN / OSD / TRD
Programs: AC, SK, Scandic, Marriott
Posts: 1,514
Feb 1, 2023 | 12:11 pm
#2432
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 2,212
Just a heads up: Change on Tier retain & upgrade rules
In essence, if you want A3 status but don't want to fly A3, status has become a lot harder to come by.
In essence, if you want A3 status but don't want to fly A3, status has become a lot harder to come by.
Mar 7, 2023 | 10:10 pm
#2433
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, Marriott LtP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis Pres, IHG Plat
Posts: 43
Which *A program??
Okay so I have someone who works for me (contractor) who is based in Lviv, Ukraine and we are working on projects in the states (USA) and Europe. The contractor would be flying in and out of WAW but will be flying United when in country. Which airline program should the contractor set up on? I am on United because I am in the states and want to hit the million miler program but this would not apply for the contractor. I think people used to sign up under Aegean because the requirements for *A Gold was easier to achieve but this does not seem the case. I am thinking LOT but their website doesn't say 35,000 miles gets them *A Gold (as far as I can tell). Please advise.
Mar 7, 2023 | 10:24 pm
#2434
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 35,044
What are the contractor's top goals from an FFP? Award tickets with no carrier surcharges? Lounge access? Something else?
What class of service will the contractor be flying on paid tickets?
What class of service will the contractor be flying on paid tickets?
Mar 7, 2023 | 10:26 pm
#2435
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: UA 1K, AA Plat, Marriott LtP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis Pres, IHG Plat
Posts: 43
Mar 13, 2023 | 1:58 am
#2436
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: AF/KL Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,552
Note that deep-discount Y yields 25% in most mileage programmes and even 0% in others, so hitting the Gold threshold on this alone will require a LOT of flying.
SAS Eurobonus is probably their best bet if they want to have lounge access in the US.
SAS Eurobonus is probably their best bet if they want to have lounge access in the US.
Mar 15, 2023 | 12:11 pm
#2437
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Ottawa
Programs: AF Flying Blue Gold, BA Silver, AC 25K, United MP Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 41
Regardless your contractor needs probably to fly initially a minimum of 80K miles to get status on SAS, Aegean, Turkish. It's easier to maintain for Aegean and Turkish after, especially Aegean if the person can fulfill 4 Aegean segments.
Note that in 2024, Miles + More (Lufthansa, LOT, SWISS) is changing but likely would have to fly a lot discount economy to get Senator.
Mar 15, 2023 | 1:13 pm
#2438
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CDG
Programs: AF/KL Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,552
OTOH, on Aegean you have to earn Silver first and then Gold, making an already high target for Discount Economy even higher. I agree that it might be attractive if (and only if) the person is willing to do a round-trip to one of the Greek islands every year.
Mar 19, 2023 | 4:47 am
#2439
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ADL
Programs: ; BAEC Silver; Qantas FF Gold; Hertz Gold, Accor A-Club Gold
Posts: 425
1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.)
ADL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
C for long distance
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
QF Gold (OW Sapphire)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
priority and lounge
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
ADL-LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines none specific,
none
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Work
I mainly fly QF but occasionally fly *A long distance in C. Looking for lounge access. Any advice appreciated please!
ADL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ?
C for long distance
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year?
25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc)
QF Gold (OW Sapphire)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.)
priority and lounge
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc)
ADL-LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines none specific,
none
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure?
Work
I mainly fly QF but occasionally fly *A long distance in C. Looking for lounge access. Any advice appreciated please!
Mar 19, 2023 | 9:46 am
#2440
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 2,212
1) What is your home airport? (SFO, LAX, MCO, etc.) ADL
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C for long distance
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc) QF Gold (OW Sapphire)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.) priority and lounge
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) ADL-LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines none specific, none
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work
I mainly fly QF but occasionally fly *A long distance in C. Looking for lounge access. Any advice appreciated please!
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy ? C for long distance
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? 25-50k
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? What is it? (UA Silver, M&M Senator etc) QF Gold (OW Sapphire)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? (Frequent upgrades on travel, priority services when flying the airline, good award redemption rates, free lounge access, etc.) priority and lounge
(6) Which routes do you fly most often (US Domestic, Transpacific etc) ADL-LHR
(7) Preferred Airlines none specific, none
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Work
I mainly fly QF but occasionally fly *A long distance in C. Looking for lounge access. Any advice appreciated please!
Mar 30, 2023 | 1:17 am
#2441
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: POZ
Programs: AF KL Gold (STE+) | TP *G | LH (no status)
Posts: 252
Hi everyone.
I posted this in a different thread but I believe this one is more suitable for this (new here so not sure how to delete the old post).
Although I have been flying on average 3-4 times a year for leisure as long as I can remember, I recently begun flying frequently for work.
I am now based in Poland (previously UK based) but still require to travel to the UK for work reasons.
My travel costs are covered by my company (Y class only but can self upgrade to C at my own cost) as I am required to attend the UK offices every 2-3 months . I decided to start booking flights with LO/LH due to the flight date change flexibility with their full price Y fares.
I signed up to the Miles&More program in Oct 2022 but following LH’s announcement of the program changes from 2024, I do not think this FFP will be suitable for me going forward.
I am aware that in most cases my travel frequency would not grant me any status in the future so I decided to look elsewhere.
I came across TP's FFP and I signed up to their Miles&Go Platinum Club which gave me instant *A Silver status and I should be credited up to 118K miles by the end of the annual subscription and should be able to retain *A Silver either by renewing or by earning enough status miles for renewal (some long-haul trips to Brazil planned later in the current status period).
I would like to achieve *G but I don't think I will be flying enough miles to achieve this on flights alone so will be mainly use miles for award flights. Star is my alliance of preference based on my location.
Lounge access when flying in Y would be good (I know I can get that when upgraded to C)
As I now have a subscription to TP's FFP, when the renewal time comes in 2024, is it best to stick to it or consider other FFPs?
Any advice always greatly appreciated.
(1) What is your home airport? POZ
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y (Business class upgrades/bids whenever possible)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Work (projected): 16-20 flight segments, Leisure: 4-8 segments annually
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? TAP Miles&Go Silver (*A Silver)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award flights (on miles + cash basis whenever possible), long mileage validity or possibility of extending expiring miles, *G would be nice to upgrade to.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Mainly Intra-Europe, POZ-LHR, Europe-South America every few years (going forward)
(7) Preferred Airlines: LO, LH (intra-Europe), TP (South America) any other *A for long-haul
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mainly Work, 2-3 Leisure flights per year.
I posted this in a different thread but I believe this one is more suitable for this (new here so not sure how to delete the old post).
Although I have been flying on average 3-4 times a year for leisure as long as I can remember, I recently begun flying frequently for work.
I am now based in Poland (previously UK based) but still require to travel to the UK for work reasons.
My travel costs are covered by my company (Y class only but can self upgrade to C at my own cost) as I am required to attend the UK offices every 2-3 months . I decided to start booking flights with LO/LH due to the flight date change flexibility with their full price Y fares.
I signed up to the Miles&More program in Oct 2022 but following LH’s announcement of the program changes from 2024, I do not think this FFP will be suitable for me going forward.
I am aware that in most cases my travel frequency would not grant me any status in the future so I decided to look elsewhere.
I came across TP's FFP and I signed up to their Miles&Go Platinum Club which gave me instant *A Silver status and I should be credited up to 118K miles by the end of the annual subscription and should be able to retain *A Silver either by renewing or by earning enough status miles for renewal (some long-haul trips to Brazil planned later in the current status period).
I would like to achieve *G but I don't think I will be flying enough miles to achieve this on flights alone so will be mainly use miles for award flights. Star is my alliance of preference based on my location.
Lounge access when flying in Y would be good (I know I can get that when upgraded to C)
As I now have a subscription to TP's FFP, when the renewal time comes in 2024, is it best to stick to it or consider other FFPs?
Any advice always greatly appreciated.
(1) What is your home airport? POZ
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y (Business class upgrades/bids whenever possible)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Work (projected): 16-20 flight segments, Leisure: 4-8 segments annually
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? TAP Miles&Go Silver (*A Silver)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award flights (on miles + cash basis whenever possible), long mileage validity or possibility of extending expiring miles, *G would be nice to upgrade to.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Mainly Intra-Europe, POZ-LHR, Europe-South America every few years (going forward)
(7) Preferred Airlines: LO, LH (intra-Europe), TP (South America) any other *A for long-haul
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mainly Work, 2-3 Leisure flights per year.
Mar 30, 2023 | 1:25 am
#2442
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 2,212
Hi everyone.
I posted this in a different thread but I believe this one is more suitable for this (new here so not sure how to delete the old post).
Although I have been flying on average 3-4 times a year for leisure as long as I can remember, I recently begun flying frequently for work.
I am now based in Poland (previously UK based) but still require to travel to the UK for work reasons.
My travel costs are covered by my company (Y class only but can self upgrade to C at my own cost) as I am required to attend the UK offices every 2-3 months . I decided to start booking flights with LO/LH due to the flight date change flexibility with their full price Y fares.
I signed up to the Miles&More program in Oct 2022 but following LHs announcement of the program changes from 2024, I do not think this FFP will be suitable for me going forward.
I am aware that in most cases my travel frequency would not grant me any status in the future so I decided to look elsewhere.
I came across TP's FFP and I signed up to their Miles&Go Platinum Club which gave me instant *A Silver status and I should be credited up to 118K miles by the end of the annual subscription and should be able to retain *A Silver either by renewing or by earning enough status miles for renewal (some long-haul trips to Brazil planned later in the current status period).
I would like to achieve *G but I don't think I will be flying enough miles to achieve this on flights alone so will be mainly use miles for award flights. Star is my alliance of preference based on my location.
Lounge access when flying in Y would be good (I know I can get that when upgraded to C)
As I now have a subscription to TP's FFP, when the renewal time comes in 2024, is it best to stick to it or consider other FFPs?
Any advice always greatly appreciated.
(1) What is your home airport? POZ
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y (Business class upgrades/bids whenever possible)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Work (projected): 16-20 flight segments, Leisure: 4-8 segments annually
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? TAP Miles&Go Silver (*A Silver)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award flights (on miles + cash basis whenever possible), long mileage validity or possibility of extending expiring miles, *G would be nice to upgrade to.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Mainly Intra-Europe, POZ-LHR, Europe-South America every few years (going forward)
(7) Preferred Airlines: LO, LH (intra-Europe), TP (South America) any other *A for long-haul
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mainly Work, 2-3 Leisure flights per year.
I posted this in a different thread but I believe this one is more suitable for this (new here so not sure how to delete the old post).
Although I have been flying on average 3-4 times a year for leisure as long as I can remember, I recently begun flying frequently for work.
I am now based in Poland (previously UK based) but still require to travel to the UK for work reasons.
My travel costs are covered by my company (Y class only but can self upgrade to C at my own cost) as I am required to attend the UK offices every 2-3 months . I decided to start booking flights with LO/LH due to the flight date change flexibility with their full price Y fares.
I signed up to the Miles&More program in Oct 2022 but following LHs announcement of the program changes from 2024, I do not think this FFP will be suitable for me going forward.
I am aware that in most cases my travel frequency would not grant me any status in the future so I decided to look elsewhere.
I came across TP's FFP and I signed up to their Miles&Go Platinum Club which gave me instant *A Silver status and I should be credited up to 118K miles by the end of the annual subscription and should be able to retain *A Silver either by renewing or by earning enough status miles for renewal (some long-haul trips to Brazil planned later in the current status period).
I would like to achieve *G but I don't think I will be flying enough miles to achieve this on flights alone so will be mainly use miles for award flights. Star is my alliance of preference based on my location.
Lounge access when flying in Y would be good (I know I can get that when upgraded to C)
As I now have a subscription to TP's FFP, when the renewal time comes in 2024, is it best to stick to it or consider other FFPs?
Any advice always greatly appreciated.
(1) What is your home airport? POZ
(2) What types of fares do you usually buy? Y (Business class upgrades/bids whenever possible)
(3) How many miles do you usually fly each year? Work (projected): 16-20 flight segments, Leisure: 4-8 segments annually
(4) Do you have any kind of status at present? TAP Miles&Go Silver (*A Silver)
(5) What is most important to you in a FFP? Award flights (on miles + cash basis whenever possible), long mileage validity or possibility of extending expiring miles, *G would be nice to upgrade to.
(6) Which routes do you fly most often? Mainly Intra-Europe, POZ-LHR, Europe-South America every few years (going forward)
(7) Preferred Airlines: LO, LH (intra-Europe), TP (South America) any other *A for long-haul
(8) Do you travel for work or pleasure? Mainly Work, 2-3 Leisure flights per year.
On the award flight question, where do you want award flights to? Airlines have the best award availability on their own flights.
Mar 30, 2023 | 1:49 am
#2443
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: POZ
Programs: AF KL Gold (STE+) | TP *G | LH (no status)
Posts: 252
Does Aegean work for you intra-Europe? They've historically been a very easy way of getting *G but they recently made some changes so that if you can fly a few Aegean segments intra-Europe then getting *G is still quite easy. This would be the best way to get *G for you probably.
On the award flight question, where do you want award flights to? Airlines have the best award availability on their own flights.
On the award flight question, where do you want award flights to? Airlines have the best award availability on their own flights.
A couple of Aegean intra-Europe segments would not be an issue as I have a sweet spot for Greek islands (and try to go there every other year if possible). So this would be a nice problem to have
Award tickets would be mainly for long-haul (leisure) to Brazil so TP makes sense.
Mar 30, 2023 | 3:43 am
#2444
Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: LAX
Programs: UA
Posts: 2,212
I was considering signing up to Aegean's FFP but TP's fast-track to *A Silver was difficult to resist (this time).
A couple of Aegean intra-Europe segments would not be an issue as I have a sweet spot for Greek islands (and try to go there every other year if possible). So this would be a nice problem to have
Award tickets would be mainly for long-haul (leisure) to Brazil so TP makes sense.
A couple of Aegean intra-Europe segments would not be an issue as I have a sweet spot for Greek islands (and try to go there every other year if possible). So this would be a nice problem to have
Award tickets would be mainly for long-haul (leisure) to Brazil so TP makes sense.
Mar 30, 2023 | 3:55 am
#2445
Join Date: Mar 2023
Location: POZ
Programs: AF KL Gold (STE+) | TP *G | LH (no status)
Posts: 252
Noted on the potential sale of TP. It will be a case of wait and see on what happens but it looks like I may not renew the membership of the FFP for 2024.